Recreational fishing
The coastal fish stocks in Norway are under pressure and we need to increase our efforts to ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy fishing as a sport or recreation in Norway. The fish in the sea are free for all, but we have a goal to safeguard fish stocks for the future.
You are therefore very welcome to fish for free in Norwegian sea waters, provided that you follow a set of simple rules:
- Respect the minimum fish sizes.
- Foreign tourists may only use handheld tackle when fishing in the sea. Tourists are not permitted to make use of nets, pots, traps, lines etc.
- Tourists are permitted to take up to 10 kg of fish out of the country, but if you fish under the direction of a registered tourist fishery business you can bring up to 20 kilos. (Note that you have to leave Norway for seven days before you can come back and take a new export quota out of the country.)
- This export-restriction does not apply for tourists who buy directly from commercial fishermen.
- Freshwater fish such as salmon, trout and char are exempt from the limit.
- You must keep a distance of more than 100 metres from the closest fish farm when fishing. All boat traffic shall keep a distance of at least 20 metres from fish farms and moorings for fish farms.
- Foreign tourists are not permitted to sell the fish they catch.
- Eel and spiny dogfish are preserved species in Norway.
The Directorate of Fisheries is happy to answer any questions in English, Russian or Norwegian. Contact us by email at info@fiskeridir.no.